Paying for the Displeasure of a Colonoscopy

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I just had my follow up colonoscopy a few weeks ago. I got a letter that my colonoscopy was "not covered" which really surprised me because they covered it 5 years ago. Turns out that I had polyps last time so they will never, ever again pay for another colonoscopy. Huh? Isn't this WHY I need a colonoscopy? And Republicans are trying to convince me that this private insurance thing works better than socialized medicine?

Alex of IL 2:54PM July 31, 2011

I am in the same boat. My family doctor has been asking me to get a colonoscopy for ages but the prices are outrageous.
The cheapest I could find was $1900.
I did some research on cheap colonoscopies on google and was able to find a place that knocked the price down to half that but its still a lot for a colonoscopy and I have no family history of colon cancer.

HR of FL 3:52PM October 21, 2010

lemyaskin rulezz

lemyaskin of MI 9:48PM September 22, 2009

I know this is old news, but in the context of my search for answers about why most of the cost of my recent colonoscopy was not covered by insurance and your final statement, I'd like to offer that you'll need more help than just a weak little law to "do the right thing." Let me expand: North Carolina gets a "A" on the 2009 Colorectal Cancer Legislation Report Card. Yippee! North Carolina has a law on the books! As best I can determine, the law requires private insurance companies to cover the cost of up to four procedures, including fecal occult blood test (FOBT), flexible sigmoidoscopy, double-contrast barium enema (DCBE), and colonoscopy. However, as in all law, there is a loophole. That is, if the company is large enough (as my employer is) to self-insure, they're not required by law to cover the procedure. I suppose that’s because the law tends to address only private insurers. So, even if your readers are covered with private insurance, they may in fact not be for colorectal cancer screening...at least not in North Carolina. Incidentally, I owe about $1800 of the $2700 total, butt (oops!) I have a clear colon!

Chuck of NC 2:18PM August 18, 2009

BsaOED

Nucxlwkz of DE 10:01AM July 15, 2009

I have insurance which technically covers colonoscopy as a kind of surgery, but my deductible is very high ($5000), so I would end up paying the whole cost of the procedure out of pocket if I got one. I have had rectal bleeding now for two years and my doc has recommended colonoscopy, but I simply cannot afford it. Meanwhile, Aetna continues to suck money out of each paycheck for its worthless "insurance." If I end up with colorectal cancer, I would like to have my dead body dumped on CEO Ron Williams' lawn along with those of all the other people he has killed to get his 23 mil a year.

Alan Richard of TX 1:46PM July 03, 2009

People are lucky who has health insurance. I need a colonoscopy
and do not have health insurance.No one will help me get the diagnosis I took the fecaal occult test there was negative postive results I am 60 and stressing because I as not old enough to get medicare.Unless you have a postive results no one will help you get the test.

Billie Pickett of TX 6:59PM May 04, 2009

My entire family had colonoscopies after my 38 year old sister was diagnosed with advanced stage four colon cancer. I, too, had the pre-cancerous cells that could have become cancerous.
My husband is in the military and I am covered by Tricare; the rest of my family was also covered through their insurance companies.
My sister's diagnosis came out of nowhere; her primary care physician was shocked when the hospital called her. It's a horrible disease that can be prevented if caught early enough so I firmly believe that the screening age should be lowered. It goes without saying that the procedure should be covered by all insurance companies, no matter what the state.

K. Brockett of WA 6:10PM October 15, 2008

My Father was just diagnosed with stage IV colorectal cancer that has metastasized to the liver...inoperable only offering Chemo as a treatment. The Doctors told me that at 51 and the disease being hereditary, I should of had at least 1 screening by now. After investigating the costs, and since I'm not planning on moving out of the country...I won't be having one...I'll just be rolling the dice with the rest of the uninsured.

DLW of NM 10:45AM July 13, 2008

I am an American who works in Bangkok and has California Blue Shield. Just went for a colonoscopy (June 2008) at Bumrungrad Hospital, probably the best hospital in Southeast Asia. The complete cost was 22,822 baht ($692 USD), including hospital and doctor's fees (physician was a board-certified gastro-enterologist). When I read that some states don't cover this procedure and others charge upwards of $3-5,000 USD, I feel fortunate to have access to this excellent care.

guy 8:29PM June 23, 2008